LG’s bendy plastic e-reader display to be released next month

We fold our newspapers, bend back our magazines, so why not our e-readers? LG Display has released a new plastic, flexible display that probably won’t let us fold tablets in half, but may bring the bendy-future closer to consumers.

The display, called a plastic electronic paper display (EPD), is six inches tall and supports 1024-by-768 pixels. According to LG, the display “offers users a paper-like reading experience with a plastic substrate that is as slim as cell phone protection film.” It can be bent to a 40 degree angle, is one-third thinner than traditional e-reader displays, and weighs half as much.

LG also alluded to the fact that these plastic displays are cheaper to make than their glass counterparts.

“As EPD gets thinner, lighter, and more durable with the introduction of plastic EPD, E-Books will be able to offer certain unique benefits compared to smart devices and tablets, including reduced eye fatigue and more efficient electricity consumption in addition to lower prices,” LG said in a statement.

The company attempted several drop tests from nearly five-feet off the ground, and found that the screens were more resistant to damage than glass. If you’ve ever dropped a plastic cup versus a glass cup, you can imagine why this would be the case.

The company hopes to ship these screens to manufacturers within the month so they can be released to European consumers at the beginning of next month.

hat tip Engadget